DE19907151A1 - Door lock release mechanism for trunk door in cars - Google Patents

Abstract

A spindle (7) rotatably supports the latch (8) and drive cam (12), coaxially. The output shaft (16) of the motor is configured in parallel with the latch so that the rotary shafts of drive cam and latch are distributed, coaxially.

Description

The present invention relates generally to a Door locking and unlocking system for locking and Unlock a door and relates in particular to one Door locking system for fully closing one Side door or a trunk lid of a vehicle, by engaging a latch of the door locking system a door latch is forced.

Traditionally, closing requires one Vehicle door a relatively large force due to the Reactive power of one attached to the door Sealing strip or a closing resistance of the door, the one just before the door closes completely occurs. To overcome this difficulty, a electrically driven automatic door locking system developed. If the door locking system detects that a door closes and a latch of the door locking system with a door catch begins to engage, closes The door locking system completely closes the door by the latch is forced into engagement with the catch. Usually the door locking system performs two operations; one Unlocking process to unlock the door and one Latch pulling to lock the door locking system in To force engagement with a door catch if the trap comes with the detent begins to engage. Usually the two processes of the door locking system become independent controlled by two electrical actuators. Hence can the manufacturing cost and size of the Door locking system rise. If further such a large Building door locking system for the trunk lid the capacity of a trunk can be used can be reduced.  

In order to solve these difficulties, the JP-B2-5-27748 a door locking system with a door locking system, in which the unlocking process and the Trap pulling process by a single electrical Actuator are executed.

This means, as shown in Fig. 24A, that a door locking system 51 , which is installed in a trunk lid of a vehicle, has a latch 53 with a recess portion 53 a to engage with a detent 52 which is attached to the vehicle to get. The trap 53 is rotatably supported by a shaft 54 and is constantly biased clockwise in Fig. 24A. When the door or lid is closed with a relatively weak force, the latch 53 strikes the detent 52 but does not turn sufficiently to be positioned as shown in Fig. 24B. At this point, a pawl (ratchet) 55 is engaged, thereby preventing the latch 53 from moving further. On the other hand, when the door or lid is closed by a relatively large force, the latch 53 strikes the catch 52 and rotates sufficiently to be positioned as shown in Fig. 24C so that the latch 53 is fully engaged with the latch 52 in Intervention is. At this point, the pawl 55 is engaged, thereby preventing the latch 53 from moving further.

As shown in FIG. 23, a door lock system 56 with the door lock system 51 has a single reversible motor 57 as an actuator. When the reversible motor 57 rotates forward, a rotating plate 58 rotates clockwise in Fig. 23 from a neutral position thereof. As a result, one end of an output member 59 attached to the rotating plate 58 contacts an arm 60 and rotates the arm 60, thereby pulling on a rod 61 . By pulling the rod 61, the trap 53, which begins to engage with the detent 52 in engagement is forced to rotate to move completely with the detent 52 in engagement.

On the other hand, when the reversible motor 57 is rotated backward by a door opening system, the rotating plate 58 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 23 from the neutral position. As a result, the other end of the dispensing member 59 strikes an arm 62 and rotates the arm 62 , thereby pulling a rod 63 . When the rod 63 is pulled, the pawl 55 , which holds the latch 53 in full engagement with the latch 52 , is rotated so that the latch 53 is released from the latch 52 . As a result, the door is unlocked.

In this door locking system 56 , the rotary plate 58 rotated to pull the rod 61 , 63 must be arranged perpendicular to the latch 53 . As a result, the door lock system 56 cannot be reduced in size sufficiently.

The door lock system 56 also has two position sensing sensors, such as microswitches, that determine a time to stop the actuator when the latch 53 is fully engaged with the detent 52 , and a time to unlock the door and stop the actuator in an original home position determine. Consequently, the door locking system 56 must have an extra space in which the two detection sensors are installed. As a result, the size reduction of the door locking system 56 is still limited.

In the door lock system 56 , further, when the power to the actuator is turned off to temporarily stop the actuator and then continue, it cannot be determined whether the door lock system 56 is a latch pulling operation to pull the latch 56 fully engaged with the detent 52 or one Unlocking process to unlock the door before stopping the actuator, although the two position detectors are used. As a result, the door lock system 56 may inadvertently unlock the door when the latch 53 should be pulled to engage the latch 52 , or pull the latch 53 when the door should be unlocked.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a to create a compact door lock release system, which using a single actuator Trap engages with a door catch, so that a The door closes completely and the door unlocks.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a to create a compact door lock release system, which using a single actuator a door latch pulls to be engaged so that the door is closed completely, as well as the door unlocked, which consists of a reduced number of Divide by a reduced number of Assembly operations is made.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compact door locking and unlocking system with one to create single actuator in which one Operating state of the actuator is constantly detected, so that the system continues to operate correctly even if the  Power to the system is temporarily turned off has been and will continue.

According to the present invention, a door lock Unlocking system for locking and unlocking a door an actuator with an output shaft and a trap for Engaging a detent when the door is closed. The door locking and unlocking system also has a latching element, a tension element, a release element and a cam. The latching element is in engagement with the trap and prevents the trap from moving out of one fully closed position when the door is fully closed is. The tension element is in engagement with the Latch and turns the latch from a closing start position, in which the trap engages with the catch begins, and in which the door into the fully closed Position begins to close. The release element gives the Trap free of the latching element. The cam with one Rotary shaft is rotated by the actuator to rotate and to drive the tension element and the release element. The Rotation shaft of the cam is parallel to a rotation shaft of the Trap arranged. Therefore the cam and the trap are in arranged in a relatively small space. Furthermore, the Output shaft of the actuator parallel to the rotary shaft of the Trap arranged. Consequently, the power transmission from the actuator to the cam in a relatively small space executed. Consequently the size of the door lock Unlocking system reduced.

Preferably, the cam is rotatable by the rotating shaft Trap kept, causing the size of the system to continue is reduced.

Preferably, the door lock release system a rotating body which is driven by the actuator.  

An electrically conductive pattern is on a surface of the rotating body attached. A detection device is provided to slide on the pattern to thereby make a Generate detection signal, which is a rotational position of the Rotating body. Consequently, the rotational position of the Rotating body without the use of a variety of Position detection sensors detected, thereby reducing the number of Divide, the number of assembly operations and the size of the system can be reduced. Hence a Operating state of the actuator according to the rotary position of the rotating body. Hence the system can be Continue operating properly even if the Power to the system is temporarily turned off has been and will continue.

These tasks have goals and other goals and characteristics of present invention will become apparent from the following Description of preferred embodiments under Reference to the accompanying drawing more clearly. It demonstrate:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a rear part of a vehicle in which a door lock system is used according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the door closing system according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the door closing system according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the components of the door closing system according showing the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side view along arrow V in FIG. 2, showing the door locking system according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the door closing system of the first embodiment in the process of closing a trunk lid;

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the door closing system of the first embodiment in the process of closing the trunk lid;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the door locking system of the first embodiment when the trunk lid is fully closed;

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the door closing system of the first embodiment in the process of opening the trunk lid;

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing the door closing system of the first embodiment, when the trunk lid is opened;

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing the door locking system of the first embodiment in the process of unlocking the trunk lid by a key operation;

Figure 12 is a schematic view showing the door closing system of the first embodiment, when the trunk lid is unlocked by the key operation.

FIG. 13A, 13B are schematic views showing a door lock system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the door closing system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the components of the door closing system according showing the second embodiment;

Fig. 16 is a side view along arrow XVI in Fig 13A, which shows the door closing system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17A, 17B are schematic views showing the door closing system of the second embodiment in the process of closing a trunk lid;

FIG. 18A, 18B are schematic views showing the door closing system of the second embodiment in the process of closing of the trunk lid;

FIG. 19A, 19B are schematic views showing the door closing system of the second embodiment, when the trunk lid is completely closed;

FIG. 20A, 20B are schematic views showing the door closing system of the second embodiment, when the trunk lid is opened;

Fig. 21 is a schematic view showing an actuator used in the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an electrical wiring diagram showing a control circuit of the door closing system according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 23 is a schematic view showing a conventional door lock system; and

FIG. 24A, 24B, 24C are side views showing a door lock system of the conventional door lock system in Fig. 23.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are with reference to the accompanying drawing explained.

(First embodiment)

A first preferred exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 12. As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 has a trunk 1 a in a rear part, in which luggage is loaded. A trunk lid 2 with an approximately square shape is attached to an upper part of the trunk 1 a, thereby forming a luggage compartment for receiving luggage. The trunk lid 2 is rotatably held at a base end thereof by means of a rotating shaft L ₀ which is arranged parallel to a width direction of the vehicle 1 . A free end (ie end of the vehicle end) of the trunk lid 2 is bent downward, so that the trunk lid 2 has an L-shaped cross section.

A door locking system 3 for locking and unlocking the trunk lid 2 is attached to the free end of the trunk lid 2 at a center point P of a length H of the trunk lid 2 in the width direction of the vehicle 1 . Further, a mounted on a matching with the door locking system 3 position with the door locking system 3 in engageable detent 4 on the vehicle. 1 When the trunk lid 2 with the latch 4 starts to come into engagement, forcing the door closing system 3, the latch 4 is engaged with the trunk lid 2, whereby the trunk lid 2 is completely closed and locked. Because the door locking system 3 is attached at the center P of the trunk lid 2 in the width direction of the vehicle 1 , the trunk lid 2 is completely closed in a stable manner.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the door locking system 3 has a base plate 5 on which the components of the door locking system 3 are attached. In Fig. 3, 4, each point of connection between the components of the door locking system 3 is connected by means of a dash-dotted line. The base plate 5 has an insertion passage 6 , into which the catch 4 is inserted. The base plate 5 is attached to the vehicle 1 using screws or the like so that the insertion passage 6 is located at the center P and is parallel to the trunk lid 2 as shown in FIG. 5. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a rotation holding shaft 7 is arranged near the insertion passage 6 so that the shaft 7 is perpendicular to the base plate 5 . A trap 8 is substantially formed as a circular plate, rotatably supported by the shaft 7 and biased clockwise in Fig. 2 by a spring (not shown). A movement of the latch 8 in its biasing direction is limited by a stop 9 . In the present exemplary embodiment, as is shown in FIG. 2, if the latch 8 touches the stop 9 and is prevented from moving further, the catch 4 is released by the latch 8 , as a result of which the trunk lid 2 is unlocked. The trap 8 is arranged to be parallel and adjacent to the trunk lid 2 , as shown in FIG. 5.

The trap 8 is formed in a two-step shape, which has upper and lower steps to have a two-step cross section. Consequently, the trap 8 has a greater thickness in its central area than in its peripheral area and has upper and lower peripheral side surfaces. The lower peripheral side surface of the trap 8 has a recess portion 8 a for catching the detent 4 , a latching surface 8 b for engaging with the latch 4 when the lid 2 is fully closed, and has a latching surface 8 c for engaging with the latch 4 when the trap 8 begins to engage the catch 4 . The upper peripheral side surface of the trap 8 has an engaging groove 8 b. The latching surfaces 8 b, 8 c and the engagement groove 8 d are arranged on one side of the insertion passage 6 with respect to a center of rotation of the trap 8 , which is held by the shaft 7 . This means that the latching surfaces 8 b, 8 c and the engagement groove 8 d are arranged on a right side of the shaft 7 in FIG. 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a rotation support shaft 10 is mounted with respect to the insertion passage 6 on a side opposite to the shaft 7 in the vicinity of the insertion passage 6 such that the shaft 10 is perpendicular to the base plate 5 . One end of a first ratchet 11 is rotatably supported by the shaft 10 . The first ratchet 11 is biased clockwise in FIG. 2 by a torsion spring (not shown) so that the first ratchet 11 contacts the lower peripheral side surface of the latch 8 . Furthermore, the other end of the ratchet 11 has a latching surface 11 a for engagement with the latching surfaces 8 b, 8 c of the latch 8 . If the latching surface 11 a of the first ratchet 11 is in engagement with the latching surfaces 8 b, 8 c, it is determined that the latch 8 begins to engage with the catch 4 . A latch pin 11 b for releasing the first ratchet 11 from the latch 8 is also arranged at the other end of the first ratchet 11 .

As shown in Fig. 3, 5, a substantially C-shaped drive cam 12 is arranged above the trap 8. One end of the drive cam 12 is rotatably supported by the shaft 7 . The trap 8 and the drive cam 12 thus share the same shaft 7 . Another holding shaft 13 is arranged to penetrate the other end of the drive cam 12 and to be perpendicular to the base plate 5 . Furthermore, a connecting element 14 for establishing a connection between the shaft 13 and a rotating body 15 is arranged above the drive cam 12 . One end of the link member 14 is rotatably connected to the shaft 13 and the other end of the link member 14 is rotatably connected to a connecting pin 15a which is mounted on a peripheral side of the rotary body 15th In the present exemplary embodiment, the connecting element 14 is designed as a curved plate, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, although the connecting element 14 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 to 12 for the sake of brevity as a straight line.

The rotating body 15 is fastened to an output shaft 16 of an electric motor M, so that the rotating body 15 rotates in one piece with the output shaft 16 . The motor M is a drive source of the door locking system 3 and is fixedly connected to an upper central region of the base plate 5 using screws or the like. The output shaft 16 of the motor M is thus arranged approximately at the center of the base plate 5 . The motor M only rotates the rotating body 15 in one direction (ie counterclockwise in Fig. 2). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the output shaft 16 of the motor M is parallel to the shaft 7 , which rotatably holds both the latch 8 and the drive cam 12 . Consequently, the drive cam 12 and the trap 8 are housed in parallel in a compact space. As a result, the power transmission from the motor M to the drive cam 12 is accomplished in a relatively small space, thereby reducing the size of the door lock system. Furthermore, because the drive cam 12 and the latch 8 share the same shaft 7 , the drive cam 12 and the latch 8 are accommodated in a relatively small space, which further reduces the size of the door locking system 3 . Preferably, the motor M is attached to the base plate 5 using a variety of fasteners, such as screws, which are arranged around the output shaft 16 of the motor M.

In FIG. 2, the rotary body is put in a starting position 15,. When the trunk lid 2 is opened, the rotating body is brought into the starting position. In Fig. 8, the rotating body 15 is set in a rest position. When the trunk lid 2 is completely closed, the rotating body 15 is set in the rest position. When the rotating body 15 is in either the home or the rest position, a position of the rotating body 15 is detected by a detection sensor such as a microswitch (not shown).

When the latch 8 starts to engage the detent 4 , the position of the rotating body 15 is detected by the detection sensor (not shown). The motor M is driven to rotate the rotating body 15 from the home position to the rest position corresponding to the detected position of the rotating body 15 . On the other hand, when the trunk lid 2 is fully closed and a door opening signal is sent from a door opening switch located on a driver's seat in a passenger compartment or from a remote control switch (not shown), the motor M is driven to move the rotating body 15 from the rest position to to rotate the starting position. When the rotating body 15 is set in the starting or rest position, the drive cam 12 is set in a neutral position.

As shown in FIG. 5, a second ratchet 17 for pulling the latch 8 is arranged below the drive cam 12 so as to be located at the level of the upper step portion of the latch 8 . One end of the second ratchet 17 is rotatably supported by the shaft 13 and is connected to the drive cam 12 via the shaft 13 . A washer 18 is arranged between the second ratchet 17 and the drive cam 12 and is also rotatably held by the shaft 13 . The other end (ie free end) of the second ratchet 17 has a latching section 17 a for engagement with the engagement groove 8 d in the upper step section of the trap 8 . Furthermore, a latch pin 17 b is arranged at the free end of the second ratchet 17 .

An actuating lever 19 is arranged at the height of the washer 18 and rotatably held by the shaft 10 , wherein it shares the shaft 10 with the first ratchet 11 . The operating lever 19 is biased counterclockwise in Fig. 2 around the shaft 10 by means of a spring (not shown) which is connected to the operating lever 19 . The operating lever 19 has a latch pin 19 a, which is arranged in the vicinity of the shaft 10 . The latch pin 19 a touches an outer peripheral surface of the drive cam 12 . The operating lever 19 also has an arcuate guide groove 19 b with an open end to capture and guide the latch pin 17 b of the second ratchet 17 . The operating lever 19 is biased counterclockwise in Fig. 2. Consequently, the second ratchet 17 is also biased such that the Einklinkstift 17 b 19 b is pressed by an inner surface of the guide groove and the latching portion 17 touches a d the outer peripheral surface of the upper step portion of the case 8 with the engaging groove. 8

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, a rod 20 has a latching portion 20 a at one end. The latching portion 20 a is in engagement with an operating arm 19 c of the operating lever 19th The other end of the rod 20 is connected to a lock cylinder 21 which is operated manually by an operator so that the trunk lid 2 is opened. A detection switch 21a is disposed adjacent to the lock cylinder 21, to detect a door opening operation by a key in the lock cylinder 21st

When the lock cylinder 21 is manually operated by the key so that the trunk lid 2 is opened, the rod 20 is pulled to the right in Fig. 2, and thereby rotates the operating lever 19 with the operating arm 19 c clockwise in Fig. 2 in engagement with the latching section 20 a of the rod 20th If the actuating lever 19 is rotated clockwise in Fig. 2 due to reasons other than the actuation of the rod 20 , the actuating arm 19 c is released from the latching portion 20 a of the rod 20 .

Further, when the detection switch 21 a detects the door opening operation by the key in the lock cylinder 21 and the rotating body 15 is not set in the home position, the motor M is rotated counterclockwise in Fig. 2, so that the rotating body 15 returns to the home position. If the rotating body 15 is already set in the starting position, the motor M is not rotated, even if the detection switch 21 a detects the door opening process in the locking cylinder 21 .

Next, an operation of the door lock system 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6 to 12.

First, an operation of the door locking system 3 for closing the trunk lid 2 will be described. Assuming that the trunk lid 2 is in the open state, the rotating body 15 is held in the initial position, as shown in FIG. 2.

When the trunk lid is closed by an insufficient force 2, the trap is pressed by the inserted into the detent Einführdurchlaß 6 4 8 so as not sufficient to turn. As a result, the latching surface 11 a of the first ratchet 11 is in engagement with the latching surface 8 c of the latch 8 . This means that the latch 8 is held in a position in which the latch 8 and the catch 4 start to engage with each other (hereinafter referred to as the closing start position), as shown in Fig. 6. At this point, the latching portion 17 a of the second ratchet 17 engages with the engaging groove 8 d of the case 8 .

When the latch 8 is arranged in the closing start position, the motor M starts to rotate the rotating body 15 from the starting position ( FIG. 6) to the rest position ( FIG. 8) counterclockwise in FIG. 6, corresponding to the position of the rotating body 15 , which is detected by the position detector (not shown). While the rotary body 15 in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 6 rotates, the driving cam 12, which is connected to the connecting member 14 via the shaft 13 is, in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 6 about the shaft 7, starting from the neutral position shown in FIG. 6 is rotated. As a result, the latch 8 is forced to rotate counterclockwise in Fig. 6 because the latch portion 17 a of the second ratchet 17 is engaged with the engaging groove 8 d of the latch 8 .

If the rotating body 15 is rotated to be arranged as shown in FIG. 7, the latching surface 11 a of the first ratchet 11 is in engagement with the latching surface 8 b of the trap 8 . This means that the movement of the latch 8 is limited such that the latch 8 is in full engagement with the catch 4 , thereby completely closing the trunk lid 2 . The trunk lid 2 is thus completely closed by the door locking system 3 .

Even after the latch 8 is fully engaged with the detent 4 , the motor M is further rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 8 until the rotating body 15 is set to the rest position, as shown in FIG. 8. When the rotating body 15 reaches the rest position, the motor M stops rotating according to the position of the rotating body 15 , which is detected by the position detector.

On the other hand, if the trunk lid 2 is closed with sufficient force, the movement of the latch 8 is limited by the first ratchet 11 such that the latch 8 fully engages with the catch 4 . In this case, like the aforementioned case, when the case 8 passes the closing start position, the motor M rotates the rotating body 15 counterclockwise in Fig. 6 from the initial position to the rest position corresponding to the position of the rotating body which is detected by the position detector.

Next, an operation of the door lock system for opening the trunk lid 2 will be described. Assuming that the trunk lid 2 is in the fully closed state, the rotating body 15 is held in the rest position, as shown in Fig. 8.

When a door opening signal is sent from the door opening switch to the driver's seat or the remote control switch, the motor M starts to rotate to rotate the rotating body 15 counterclockwise in Fig. 8 from the home position to the home position ( Fig. 2). While the rotating body 15 rotates, the drive cam 12 , which is connected to the connecting element 14 via the shaft 13 , is rotated clockwise in FIG. 8, starting from the neutral position. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the drive cam 12 touches the latch pin 19 a of the operating lever 19 , thereby rotating the operating lever 19 clockwise in Fig. 9 around the shaft 10 . When the operating lever 19 rotates clockwise in Fig. 9, an outer peripheral surface contacts the operating lever 19 the Einklinkstift 11 b of the first ratchet 11, as shown in FIG. 9, thereby the first ratchet 11 about the shaft 10 clockwise in Fig. 9 to rotate.

Thus rotates when the rotating body 15 rotates in the aforementioned manner, the drive cam 12, the first ratchet 11 9 via the actuating lever 19 in the clockwise direction in Fig. As a result, the latching surface 11 is a first ratchet 11 from the latching surface 8b of the case 8 free, as shown in Fig. 10. At this point, the guide groove 19 b guides the latch pin 17 b of the second ratchet, so that the latch section 17 a of the second ratchet 17 is released from the engaging groove 8 d of the latch 8 . As a result, when the ratchet 11 is first released from the latch 8 , the latch 8 rotates rearward about the shaft 7 clockwise in Fig. 9 due to a biasing force applied to the latch 8 by a spring (not shown). When the trap 8 contacts the stop 9 , as shown in Fig. 10, the movement of the trap 8 limits. This position of the latch 8 is referred to below as an unlocking position. Thus, the catch 4 is released from the recess portion 8 a of the case 8 , whereby the trunk lid 2 is unlocked.

Even when the latch 8 returns to the unlocking position, the motor M continues to rotate, thereby rotating the rotating body 15 counterclockwise in Fig. 10 until the rotating body 15 is brought to the home position. When the rotating body 15 reaches the home position, the motor M stops rotating according to the position of the rotating body 15 detected by the position detector.

Further, when the trunk lid 2 is completely closed, as shown in Fig. 8, the trunk lid 2 can be unlocked by the door opening operation in the lock cylinder 21 using the key.

When the lock cylinder 21 is operated by the key so that the trunk lid is opened, the rod 20 in Fig. 8 is pulled to the right, thereby rotating the operating lever 19 clockwise in Fig. 8. As a result, contacts as shown in Fig. 11 is shown, the outer peripheral surface of the actuating lever 9 b the Einklinkstift 11 of the first ratchet 11, 11 thereby to rotate the first ratchet in a clockwise direction in Fig. 11 about the shaft 10.

When the operating lever 19 rotates, the latching surface 11 comes from the latching surface 8 of the case 8b freely, as shown in Figure A of the first ratchet. 11 is shown 12th The guide groove 19 b guides the latch pin 17 b of the second ratchet 17 , and thereby releases the second ratchet 17 from the engagement groove 8 d of the latch 8 . As a result, when the first ratchet 11 is released from the latch 8 , the latch 8 rotates clockwise in FIG. 12 until it is stopped by the stop 9 .

The detection switch 21 a detects the door opening operation using the key in the lock cylinder 21st during the door opening operation using the key, the rotating body 15 is set in the rest position, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12. Consequently, the motor M rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 11, 12, according to a detection result of the detection switch 21 a, so that the rotating body 15 is rotated to the initial position. As a result, the catch 4 is released from the recess portion 8 a of the trap 8 . Thus, the trunk lid 2 can also be unlocked via the door opening process using the key in the locking cylinder 21 .

Furthermore, even if the power supply to the door locking system 3 is turned off to be temporarily interrupted, and if the latch 8 is arranged in the closing start position, as shown in Fig. 6, the door locking system 3 can the trunk lid 2 through the door opening operation by the key continue to open in the lock cylinder 21 .

The operating lever 19 is rotated clockwise in Fig. 11 via the rod 20 according to the door opening operation by the key in the lock cylinder 21 . As a result, the outer peripheral surface contacts the operating lever 19 the Einklinkstift 11 b of the first ratchet 11, whereby the first ratchet 11 in the clockwise direction in Fig. 11 is rotated around the shaft 10.

When the operating lever 11 rotates, the latching surface 11 is a first ratchet 11 from the latching surface 8c of the case 8 freely. At this point, the guide groove 19 b of the actuating lever 19 guides the latch pin 17 b of the second ratchet 17 , whereby the latch section 17 a is released from the engaging groove 8 d of the latch 8 . As a result, when the first ratchet 11 is released from the latch 8 , the latch 8 rotates clockwise in Fig. 11 and touches the stopper 9 to be stopped in the unlocking position. Thus, the catch 4 is released from the recess portion 8 a of the case 8 , thereby opening the trunk lid 2 .

Preferably, the door locking system 3 has a control device which detects an opening / closing state of the trunk lid 2 when the power supply of the door locking system 2 is temporarily switched off and continued, and which controls the motor M so that the rotating body 15 automatically returns to a suitable rotational position. As a result, the opening / closing state of the trunk lid 2 coincides with the rotational position of the rotating body 15 when the power supply to the door locking system 3 is continued, whereby operating errors of the door locking system 3 are reduced.

In the first embodiment, the drive cam 12 is arranged so that the shaft 13 of the drive cam 12 is parallel to the shaft 7 of the case 8 . Consequently, the drive cam 12 and the latch 8 are arranged parallel to each other in a relatively small space, whereby the size of the door locking system 3 is reduced. Furthermore, the output shaft 16 of the motor M is arranged parallel to the shaft 7 of the trap 8 . As a result, the power transmission from the motor M on the drive cam 12 is accomplished in a relatively small space, thereby reducing the size of the door lock system 3 . Furthermore, the drive cam 12 shares the same shaft 7 with the latch 8 . Consequently, the drive cam 12 and the latch 8 are arranged in an even smaller space, whereby the size of the door locking system 3 is further reduced.

(Second embodiment)

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 22.

In the second exemplary embodiment, like the first exemplary embodiment, a door locking system 103 is attached to a center point of the free end of the trunk lid 2 in the width direction of the vehicle 1 . As shown in FIGS. 13A to 16, the door locking system 103 has a base plate 105 with an insertion passage 106 , into which the catch 4 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 16, a support shaft 107 is disposed near the insertion passage 106 so that the shaft 107 is perpendicular to the base plate 105 . A trap 108 , which is formed as a substantially circular plate, is rotatably supported by the shaft 107 .

The trap 108 is formed in a two-step shape that has upper and lower step portions, thereby having a two-step cross section. Thus, the trap 108 has a greater thickness at its central portion than at its peripheral portion and has two upper and lower peripheral side surfaces. The lower peripheral side surface of the latch 108 has a recess portion 108 a for catching the catch 4 and has a latching surface 108 b for engagement with the catch 4 when the door or the cover 2 is completely closed. The upper peripheral side surface of the latch 108 has a latching surface 108 c for engagement with the catch 4 when the catch 108 begins to engage with the catch 4 . The latching surfaces 108 b, 108 c are arranged on one side of the insertion passage 106 with respect to a center of rotation of the latch 108 , which is held by the shaft 107 . This means that the latching surfaces 108 b, 108 c are arranged on a right side of the shaft 107 in FIGS. 13A, 13B. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B, when the latch 108 contacts a side wall 105 a of the base plate 105 in order to be prevented from moving, the latch 108 is set in an initial position in which the catch 4 released from the trap 108 .

As shown in FIG. 15, the latch 108 has a first stop surface D1 for engaging a second ratchet 120 and a second stop surface D2 for engaging a first ratchet 110 . A distance (Y1) between the center of the shaft 107 and the first stop surface D1 is smaller than a distance (Y2) between the center of the shaft 107 and the second stop surface D2, ie Y1 <Y2.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, a support shaft 109 is arranged on a side opposite to the insertion passage 106 so as to be perpendicular to the base plate 105 . A base end of the first ratchet 110 for engaging the latch 108 is rotatably supported by the shaft 109 .

The latch 108 and the first ratchet 110 each have hook sections 108 d, 110 a for holding a coil spring 111 . Each end of the coil spring 111 is hooked into the hook sections 108 d, 110 a, so that the coil spring 111 is arranged under tension between the hook sections 108 d, 110 a. As a result, the latch 108 and the first ratchet 110 are pulled towards each other by the coil spring 111 . When the trap 108 is set in the initial position, the hook portion 108 d of the trap 108 is arranged at a position which is shifted counterclockwise from a line connecting a center of the shaft 107 and the hook portion 110 a in Figs. 13A, 13B is. Consequently, the case 108 in Fig. 13A, 13B is biased in the clockwise direction and the first ratchet 110 is biased by the single coil spring 111 in a counterclockwise direction around the lower peripheral side surface of the case 108 to touch.

The first ratchet 110 has a latching surface 110 b for engagement with the latching surface 108 b of the case 108 at a free end of the first ratchet 110th When the latching surface 110 b is engaged with the latching surface 108 is b, the trap is held in a door closing position 108, in which the trunk lid 2 is fully closed (hereinafter referred to as a fully closed position). Furthermore, a Einlinkstift 110 c is also arranged at the free end of the first ratchet 110 .

In the second embodiment, both the latch 108 and the first ratchet 110 are made of metal. Furthermore, the trap 108 is completely covered with a resin element 112 , with the exception of the latching surfaces 108 b, 108 c. A base end portion including a portion around the shaft 109 of the first ratchet 110 is covered with a resin member 113 . As a result, sliding noise that occurs between the trap 108 and the base plate 105 and between the trap 108 and a drive cam 114 is greatly reduced due to the resin member 113 . Likewise, sliding noise that occurs between the first ratchet 110 and the base plate 105 and between the first ratchet 110 and an operating lever 112 is also greatly reduced due to the resin member 113 .

Furthermore, the latching surfaces 108 b, 108 c of the latch 108 are exposed. Accordingly, when the latch surfaces 108 b, 108 c respectively to the latch surfaces 110 b of the first ratchet 110 and a latching portion 120 a of a second ratchet 120 are engaged, the latch surfaces 108 b, 108 c prevented from due to the molten resin in each case on the latching surface 110 b or the latching section 120 a to adhere.

Furthermore, the resin element 112 has a thick portion 112 a, where the detent 4 strikes. The thick section 112 a has a slot 112 b for damping the shock between the thick section 112 a and the notch 4th The resin element 112 also has a thick portion 112 c, where the side wall 105 a of the base plate 105 strikes.

Thus, in the second embodiment, the latch 108 and the first ratchet 110 are covered with the resin members 112 , 113 , respectively, whereby the sliding noise between the latch 108 or the first ratchet 110 and other components is greatly reduced. Furthermore, through the thick portion 112 a, 112 c and the slot 112 b of the resin member 112, an impact noise that occurs between the latch 108 and the detent 4 or the side wall 105 a is greatly reduced.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 14, 16, the thickness (l) of the first ratchet 110 is larger than the thickness (m) of the second ratchet 120 , ie l <m.

As shown in FIG. 16, the substantially C-shaped drive cam 114 is arranged above the trap 108 and with the resin member 112 interposed therebetween. One end of the drive cam 114 is rotatably supported by the shaft 107 . A support shaft 115 penetrates the other end of the drive cam 114 to be perpendicular to the base plate 105 . A connecting element 116 for forming a joint mechanism is arranged below the drive cam 114 , so that one end of the connecting element 116 is rotatably held by the shaft 115 .

The other end of the connecting element 116 is rotatably held by a connecting pin 117 a, which is arranged at one end of a connecting arm 117 . The link arm 117 is attached to an output shaft 119 of an actuator 118 to rotate integrally with the output shaft 119 . The actuator 118 is driven by a drive motor M. Motor M is a drive source of door lock system 103 and rotates link arm 117 in one direction (ie, counterclockwise in FIGS. 13A, 13B). The actuator 118 is fastened to the base plate 105 via a screw (not shown).

In Fig. 13A, the link arm 117 is held in an open rest position. When the trunk lid 2 is open, the connecting arm 117 is constantly held in the open rest position. In Fig. 19A, the link arm 117 is held in a closed rest position. When the trunk lid 2 is completely closed, the connecting arm 117 is constantly held in the closed rest position. When the connecting arm 117 is set to either the open or the closed rest position, the drive cam 114 connected to the connecting arm 117 via the connecting element 116 is set to a neutral position. When the link arm 117 is rotated, the drive cam 114 starts swinging right and left.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, the second ratchet 120 for pulling the latch 108 is arranged below the drive cam 114 and at the height of the upper step portion of the latch 108 . A base end of the second ratchet 120 is rotatably supported by the drive cam 114 via a support shaft 121 such that movement of the connector 116 is not limited by the second ratchet 120 .

The second ratchet 120 has a latching portion 120 a for engaging with the latching surface 108 c of the case 108 at a free end thereof. When the latch section 120 with the latching surface 108 c is engaged, the case 108 is stopped at a position shown in Fig. 17A, 17B. At this point the trunk lid 2 begins to close. An auxiliary pin 120 b, which extends downward, is attached to a lower surface of the free end of the free ratchet 120 .

The operating lever 122 , which also pulls the latch 108 , is rotatably supported by the shaft 109 . This means that the first ratchet 110 and the operating lever 122 share the same shaft 109 , the resin element 113 being arranged between the first ratchet 110 and the operating lever 122 . The operating lever 122 has a hook portion 122 a formed by cutting and bending to hold one end of a coil spring 123 . The other end of the coil spring 123 is held by a hook portion 105 b of the base plate 105 , which is formed by cutting and bending. The height of the hook section 105 b is selected so that the actuation of the actuating lever 122 is not limited by the hook section 105 b. The operating lever 122 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 13A by the coil spring 123 . Furthermore, a projection portion 122 b is formed by cutting and bending the operating lever 122 in the vicinity of the shaft 9 . The projection portion 122 b contacts a peripheral surface of the drive cam 114 to detach the second ratchet 120 from the latch 108 .

Furthermore, the operating lever 122 has an arcuate guide groove 122 c for catching and guiding the auxiliary pin 120 b of the second ratchet 120 . Because the operating lever 122 is biased counterclockwise in Fig. 13A, the second ratchet 120 is biased so that the auxiliary pin b 120 c is pressed by an inner peripheral surface of the guide groove 122 and the latching portion 120 a, the latching surface 108 c of the upper step portion of the case 108 touched. When the latch 108 is held in the closing start position, as shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, the operating lever 122 is rotated counterclockwise due to a biasing force of the coil spring 123 . As a result, the latching section 120 a of the second ratchet 120 comes into engagement with the latching surface 108 c of the latch 108 . At this point, the latching portion 120 a abuts the outer peripheral surface of the trap 108. However, the trap 108 is covered with the resin member 112 , thereby preventing the occurrence of a collision sound.

Furthermore, the operating lever 122 has an operating arm 122 d which is connected to a door handle or handle (not shown). When the handle is operated to open the trunk lid, the operating lever 122 is rotated clockwise in Fig. 13A.

A limit switch 124 is arranged on the base plate 105 in the vicinity of the operating lever 122 . When the trap is positioned in the closing start position 108 and the operating lever 122 is rotated counterclockwise, a needle or a pin of the limit switch 124 by a projection portion 122 e which is formed on the actuating lever 122 is inclined, to thereby actuate the limit switch 124 .

Referring to FIG. 21, the actuator 118 has a housing 118a, the motor M to drive the actuator 118, a reduction gear unit 130 for reducing a rotational speed of the motor M and a detection sensor 113 for detecting a rotational position of the link arm 117th The motor M, the reduction gear unit 130 and the detection sensor 131 are firmly attached to the inside of the housing 118 a. The housing 118 a has three mounting feet 118 b, by means of which the housing 118 a is attached to the base plate 105 . One of the mounting feet 118 b is arranged as shown in FIG. 21 and the other two mounting feet 118 b are arranged on a rear side of the housing 118 a, so that the output shaft 119 is arranged between the two mounting feet 118 b. Each of the mounting feet 118 b is fastened to the base plate 105 by a screw, so that the actuator 118 is firmly attached to the base plate 105 .

The reduction gear unit 130 has four reduction gears 133 to 136 . The reduction gears 133 to 136 are sequentially connected to a worm 132 attached to a rotating shaft of the motor M. The output shaft 119 is fixed to the reduction gear 136 , which rotates last of the four reduction gears 133 to 136 . A plate 137 made of insulating material is attached to a circular rotating surface 136 a of the reduction gear 136 . Furthermore, a predetermined pattern 138 of electrical conductors is attached to the plate 137 . A substrate 139 is attached to the inside of the housing 118 a, and first to third contacts 140 to 142 for sliding on the pattern 138 are attached to the substrate 139 . The first to third contacts 140 to 142 are arranged to touch the pattern 138 on the same line extending in the diameter direction. The first contact 140 slides on an outer peripheral portion of the pattern 138, the second contact 141 slides on a central circumferential portion of the pattern 138 and the third contact 142 sliding on an inner peripheral portion of the pattern 138th At the outer and middle peripheral portion of the pattern 138 , the plate 137 is exposed in an area determined by a predetermined angle. On the other hand, the inner peripheral portion of the pattern 138 is completely covered by the electrical conductor along the entire circumference without the plate 137 being exposed anywhere.

When the reduction gear 136 rotates, the plate 137 and the pattern 138 also rotate. As a result, a connection state between the first and second contacts 140 , 141 and the third contact 142 is changed, thereby generating detection signals (SG1, SG2) which represent a rotational position of the connection arm 117 . Thus, the first to third contacts 140 to 142 , the plate 137 and the pattern 138 form a detection sensor 131 .

When the reduction gear 136 is arranged as shown in FIGS. 13A, 17A, the link arm 117 is set in the open rest position. At this point, the first contact 140 is not connected across the pattern 138 with the third contact 142 and second contact 141 is connected to the third contact 142 across the pattern 138th

If the link arm 117 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 13A beyond the open rest position shown in FIGS. 13A, 17A before reaching the closed rest position shown in FIG. 19A, both the first and second contacts are 140 , 141 connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 .

When the link arm 117 is located in the closed, rest position shown in FIG. 19A, the first and second contacts 140 , 141 are not connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 .

If the link arm 117 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 19A beyond the closed rest position shown in FIG. 19A before reaching the open rest position shown in FIGS. 13A, 17A, the first contact 140 is connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 and the second contact 141 is not connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 .

This means that only when the connecting arm 117 is in the open rest position shown in FIGS. 13A, 17A or in the closed rest position shown in FIG. 19A, the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 . Further, if the link arm 117 is located in the open rest position shown in FIGS. 13A, 17A or rotates beyond the open rest position before reaching the closed rest position shown in FIG. 19A, the second contact 141 is with the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 connected. If the link arm 117 is located in the closed rest position shown in FIG. 19A or rotates past the closed rest position before reaching the open rest position shown in FIGS. 13A, 17A, the second contact 141 is not with the third contact 142 via that Pattern 138 connected.

Accordingly, when the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 , it is determined that the connecting arm 117 is either in the open rest position shown in FIGS. 13A, 17A or in the closed rest position shown in FIG. 19A. Further, when the second contact 141 is connected to the third contact 142 , it is determined that the link arm is in the open rest position or in a rotational position in a range between the open rest position and the closed rest position. If the second contact 141 is not connected to the third contact 142 , it is determined that the connecting arm 117 is in the closed rest position or in a rotational position in a range between the closed rest position and the open rest position.

Referring to FIG. 22, the door locking system 103 electrically through a door locking controller 143 (hereinafter referred to as controller 143) is controlled, which is mounted on the vehicle 1. The control device 143 has a control circuit 144 . The first and second contacts 140 , 141 of the detection sensor 131 are each connected to input terminals P1, P2 of the control circuit 144 . The third contact 142 is grounded and is connected to the input terminal P3 via the limit switch 124 . When limit switch 124 is activated, input terminal P3 is not grounded. When limit switch 124 is not activated, input terminal P3 is grounded. The input terminal P4 of the control circuit 144 is grounded by a door opening switch 145 for opening the trunk lid 2 , such as a driver's seat opening switch or a remote control switch.

When the first and second contacts 140 , 141 are connected to the third contact 142 through the pattern 138 , the first and second contacts 140 , 141 are grounded, thereby sending ground level detection signals SG1, SG2 (hereinafter referred to as level L) to each the input ports P1, P2. On the other hand, if the first and second contacts 140 , 141 are not connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 , the first and second contacts 140 , 141 are not grounded and thereby send non-ground level detection signals SG1, SG2 (hereinafter referred to as level H ) to the input terminals P1, P2. When the limit switch 124 is activated, the input terminal P3 is at level H. When the limit switch 124 is not activated, an activation signal SG3 from level L is output to the input terminal P3. When the door opening switch 145 is turned on to open the trunk lid 2 , a door opening signal SG4 of level L is output to the input terminal P4.

Furthermore, an excitation coil 146 b for switching a switch 146 a, which is arranged within a relay 146 , is connected between the input terminals P5, P6 of the control circuit 144 . The switch 146 a is connected to a positive pole of the motor M. A negative pole of the motor M is grounded via a thermistor with a positive temperature coefficient (hereinafter referred to as PTC) 147 as a protection circuit for the motor M. If the excitation coil 146 a is excited, the positive pole of the motor M is connected to a battery + B via the switch 146 a, so that current is supplied to the motor M. If the excitation coil 146 a is not excited, the positive pole of the motor M is grounded, whereby the power supply to the motor M is interrupted.

When the connecting arm 117 is arranged in the open rest position or in a rotational position in a range between the open rest position shown in FIGS. 13A, 17A and the closed rest position shown in FIG. 19A, the second contact 141 is connected to the third contact 142 , whereby the detection signal SG2 of the level L man is output to the input terminal P2 of the control circuit 144 . Accordingly, the control circuit 144 detects that the link arm 117 is in the open rest position or in a rotational position in a range between the open rest position and the closed rest position according to the level L detection signal SG2. Specifically, when the link arm 117 is in the open rest position, the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 , whereby a H-level detection signal SG1 is output at the input terminal Pi of the control circuit 144 . As a result, the control circuit 144 detects that the link arm 117 is in the open rest position in accordance with the level H detection signal SG1.

When the link arm 117 is in the closed rest position or in a rotational position in a range between the closed rest position and the open rest position, the second contact 141 is not connected to the third contact 142 , whereby the detection signal SG2 of level H at the input terminal P2 of the Control circuit 144 is issued. As a result, the control circuit 144 detects that the link arm 117 is in the closed rest position or in a rotational position in a range between the closed rest position and the open rest position in accordance with the level H-Er detection signal SG2. In particular, when the link arm 117 is in the closed rest position, the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 , whereby the detection signal SG1 of the H level is output to the input terminal P1 of the control circuit 144 . As a result, the control circuit 144 detects that the link arm 117 is in the closed rest position in accordance with the level H detection signal SG1.

Further, when the latch 108 is shifted from the home position shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B to the close start position shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, the limit switch 124 is operated to thereby output the H level activation signal SG3 to the input terminal P3 of the control circuit 144 . The control circuit 144 excites the excitation coil 146 b in accordance with the level H activation signal SG3. If the excitation coil 146 b is excited, the positive pole of the motor M is connected to the battery + B via the switch 146 a, whereby current is supplied to the motor. This means that the controller 134 rotates the motor M, thereby rotating the link arm 117 positioned in the open rest position with the reduction gear 136 counterclockwise. At this point, the pattern 138 also rotates counterclockwise as the reduction gear 136 rotates, thereby connecting the first contact 140 to the third contact 142 . As a result, the detection signal SG1 output at the input terminal P1 is shifted from the H level to the L level.

When the link arm 117 reaches the closed rest position shown in FIG. 19A, the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 . This means that the detection signal SG1 output to the input terminal P1 is shifted from the L level to the H level. The control circuit 144 does not excite the exciting coil 146 b in accordance with the level H detection signal SG1. If the excitation coil 146 b is not excited, the positive pole of the motor M is grounded via the switch 146 a, whereby the power supply to the motor M is interrupted. This means that the control device 143 interrupts the rotation of the motor M.

Further, in this case, when the door opening switch 145 is turned on, the level L door opening signal SG4 is output to the input terminal P4, and the control circuit 144 excites the exciting coil 146 b in accordance with the level L door opening signal SG4. As a result, the positive pole of the motor M is connected to the battery + B via the switch 146 a, so that current is supplied to the motor M. This means that the controller 143 rotates the motor M, thereby rotating the link arm 117 , which is in the closed rest position, with the reduction gear 136 counterclockwise. As a result, the pattern 138 also rotates counterclockwise when the reduction gear 136 rotates, thereby connecting the first contact 140 to the third contact 142 . This means that the detection signal SG1 output to the input terminal P1 is shifted from the H level to the L level.

When the link arm 117 reaches the open rest position shown in FIG. 13A, the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 . This means that the detection signal SG1 output to the input terminal P1 is shifted from the L level to the H level. The control circuit 144 does not excite the excitation coil 146 b in accordance with the level H detection signal SG1. As a result, the positive pole of the motor M is grounded via the switch 146 a, whereby the power supply to the motor M is interrupted. This means that controller 143 stops motor M from rotating.

Next, the operation of the door lock system 103 will be explained. The operation of the door locking system 103 comprises two operating modes, a locking operation and an unlocking operation.

(Interlock mode)

The locking operation is an operation for fully closing the opened trunk lid 2 , which includes a process for guiding the latch 108 into the closing start position so that the latch 108 engages with the second ratchet 120 (hereinafter referred to as the closing position guide operation), and one The procedure for guiding the latch 108 to the fully closed position includes, the latch 108 being in full engagement with the first ratchet 110 and the trunk lid 2 being fully closed (hereinafter referred to as the closing process).

1st closing position guide operation

Assuming that the trunk lid 2 is open, the latch 108 is held in the home position and the link arm 117 is held in the open rest position, as shown in Figs. 13A, 13B. At this point, the first contact 140 is connected to the third contact 142 , whereby the level H detection signal SG1 is output to the input terminal P1.

Further, at this point, because the limit switch 124 is not activated, the input terminal P3 of the control circuit 144 is grounded by the limit switch 124 . This means that the level L detection signal SG3 is output to the input terminal P3. The door opening switch 145 is also not activated, whereby the level H detection signal SG4 is output to the input terminal P4.

If the latch 108 is pressed by the notch 4 inserted into the inlet passage 106 against the biasing force of the coil spring 111 and is placed in the closing start position, in which the latch 108 can engage the latching portion 120 a of the second ratchet 120 , the actuating lever 122 rotated counterclockwise due to a biasing force of the coil spring 123 as shown in FIG. 17A. As a result, the latching portion 120 a of the second ratchet 120 into engagement with the latching surface 108 of the case 108 c, thereby preventing further rotation of the catch 108 from the closed position in a clockwise direction beginning.

Further, when the operating lever 122 rotates counterclockwise, the limit switch 124 is activated by the protruding portion 122 e of the operating lever 122 , and thereby outputs the level H activation signal SG3 to the input terminal P3. The motor M does not work during the closing start guide operation. As a result, the link arm 117 remains in the open rest position during the closing start guide operation. This means that the H-Er detection signal SG1 continues to be output to the input terminal P1 during the closing start position guiding operation.

2. Closing process

When the limit switch 124 is activated and the level H activation signal SG3 is output to the input terminal P3, the control circuit 144 excites the excitation coil 146 in accordance with the level H activation signal SG3. As a result, the positive pole of the motor M is connected to the battery + B, so that current is supplied to the motor M. This means that the control device 143 rotates the motor M, thereby rotating the connecting arm 117 in the open rest position with the reduction gear 136 counterclockwise. At the same time, the pattern 138 also rotates when the reduction gear 136 rotates, connecting the first contact 140 to the third contact 142 . This means that the detection signal SG1 output to the input terminal P1 is shifted from the H level to the L level.

When the link arm 117 rotates counterclockwise, the drive cam 114 connected to the link 116 via the shaft 115 is rotated counterclockwise from the neutral position, as shown in FIG. 17A, around the shaft 107 . As a result, the latch 108 is forced to rotate counterclockwise due to the rotation of the drive cam 114 because the latch portion 120 a of the second ratchet 120 , which is connected to the drive cam 114 via the shaft 121 , with the latch surface 108 c of the latch 108 in Intervention is.

When the latch 108 is rotated so that the latch surface 108 b of the latch 108 can engage the latch surface 110 b in the first ratchet 110 , the first ratchet 110 is rotated counterclockwise due to a biasing force of the coil spring 111 . , As shown in Fig. 18A, when the connecting arm 117 reaches an upper dead center position, the latching surface 110 b of the first ratchet 110 of the latching surface 108 of the case 108 b released. As a result, a space is created between the first ratchet 110 and the latch 108 , allowing the first ratchet to rotate counterclockwise as it passes through the space.

As the link arm 117 continues to rotate counterclockwise, the drive cam 114 is rotated clockwise and the latch 108 is rotated clockwise due to the biasing force of the coil spring 111 . When the latching surface 110 b of the first ratchet 110 into engagement with the latching surface 108 b of the case 108, that is, the case 108 is in the fully closed position, the latch 108 is prevented from rotating from the fully closed position on, whereby the trunk lid 2 is fully closed.

Even when the latch 108 is set in the fully closed position, the controller 143 continues to rotate the motor M, whereby the link arm 117 is rotated counterclockwise to the closed rest position. When the link arm 117 reaches the closed rest position, the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 . As a result, the detection signal SG1 output at the input terminal P1 is shifted from the L level to the H level.

Consequently, the control device 143 excites the excitation coil 146 b in accordance with the level H detection signal SG1. As a result, the positive pole of the motor M is grounded via the switch 146 a, whereby the power supply to the motor M is interrupted. This means that the control device 143 interrupts the rotation of the motor M, the drive cam 114 is set in the neutral position and the connecting arm 117 is set in the closed position.

The connecting arm 117 is placed in the open rest position or in a rotational position in a range between the open rest position and the closed rest position during the closing process. Consequently, the second contact 141 is connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 during the closing process. This means that the level L detection signal S2 continues to be output at the input terminal P2 during the closing operation.

(Unlocking process)

The unlocking process is a process for opening the fully closed trunk lid 2 , ie a process for releasing the latch 108 from the first ratchet 110 and returning the latch 108 to the starting position.

When the trunk lid 2 is fully closed, the latch 108 is set in the fully closed position and the link arm 117 is set in the closed rest position, as shown in FIG. 19A. At this point, the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 , whereby the level H detection signal SG1 is output to the input terminal P1.

When the door opening switch 145 is turned on, the door opening signal SG4 output to the input terminal P4 is shifted from the H level to the L level. The control circuit 144 excites the excitation coil 146 b in accordance with the level L door opening signal SG4. As a result, the positive pole of the motor M is connected to the battery +3, so that current is supplied to the motor M. This means that the control device 143 rotates the motor M, thereby rotating the connecting arm 117 in the closed rest position with the reduction gear 136 counterclockwise. The pattern 138 is also rotated counterclockwise when the reduction gear 136 rotates, connecting the first contact 140 to the third contact 142 . This means that the detection signal SG1 output to the input terminal P1 is shifted from the H level to the L level.

When the link arm 117 rotates counterclockwise, the drive cam 114 connected to the link 116 via the shaft 115 is rotated clockwise around the shaft 107 from the neutral position shown in FIG. 19A. When the drive cam 114 continues to rotate, the outer peripheral surface of the drive cam 114 contacts the projection portion 122 b of the operating lever 122 is rotated whereby the actuating lever 122 about the shaft 109 clockwise. At this point, because the locking pin 110 c of the first ratchet 110 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the operating lever 122 , the first ratchet 110 is rotated clockwise around the shaft 109 .

Thus, as shown in FIG. 20A, 203 is shown, which latching surface 110 b of the first ratchet 110 of the latching surface 108 b of the case 108 released. At this point, the second ratchet 120 is released from the latching surface 108 c of the latch 108 when the operating lever 122 rotates because the auxiliary pin 120 b of the second ratchet 120 is guided through the guide groove 122 c of the operating lever 122 . As a result, when the first ratchet 110 is released from the latch 108 , the latch 108 rotates clockwise around the shaft 107 due to the biasing force of the coil spring 111 and touches the side wall 105 a of the base plate 105 to be prevented from further rotation. This means that the trap 108 returns to the starting position.

Even when the latch 108 returns to the home position, the controller continues to rotate the motor M, thereby rotating the link arm 117 counterclockwise to the open rest position shown in FIG. 13A. When the link arm 117 reaches the open rest position, the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 . As a result, the detection signal SG1 output to the input terminal P1 is shifted from the L level to the H level.

Consequently, the control circuit 144 excites the excitation coil 146 b in accordance with the level H detection signal SG1. As a result, the positive pole of the motor M is grounded, whereby the power supply to the motor M is cut off. This means that the control device 143 interrupts the rotation of the motor M, the drive cam 114 is set in the neutral position and the connecting arm 117 is set in the open rest position.

During the unlocking process, the connecting arm 117 is arranged in the closed rest position or in a rotational position in a region between the closed rest position and the open rest position, and the second contact 141 is not connected to the third contact 142 via the pattern 138 . As a result, the level H detection signal SG2 is continuously output to the input terminal P2 during the unlocking process.

If the power to the door lock system 103 is interrupted during the closing or unlocking process to temporarily interrupt the operation of the door locking system and continues, the door locking system 103 operates as follows.

Assume that the door lock system 103 does not operate when the link arm 117 is in either the open or closed rest position, ie when the first contact 140 is not connected to the third contact 142 , causing the level H detection signal SG1 to the input terminal P1 is delivered. This means that the door locking system 103 only works when the first contact 140 is connected to the third contact 142 , whereby the level L detection signal SG1 is output to the input terminal P1.

(If the power supply to the door locking system 103 is interrupted during the closing process)

During the closing process, as previously mentioned, the connecting arm 117 is in the open rest position or in a rotational position in a region between the open rest position and the closed rest position, whereby the second contact 141 is connected to the third contact 142 . As a result, the level L detection signal SG2 is continuously output to the input terminal P2 during the closing operation.

Accordingly, when power to door lock system 103 is continued, control circuit 144 rotates motor M so that link arm 117 is rotated to the closed rest position in accordance with level L detection signal SG2 and level L detection signal SG1. As a result, the closing process continues.

(If the power supply to the door locking system 103 is interrupted during the unlocking process)

During the unlocking process, as previously mentioned, the connecting arm 117 is positioned in the closed rest position or in a rotational position in a range between the closed rest position and the open rest position, whereby the second contact 141 is not connected to the third contact 142 . As a result, the level H detection signal SG2 is continuously output to the input terminal P2 during the unlocking operation.

Accordingly, when the power supply to the door lock system 103 is continued, the control circuit 144 rotates the motor M so that the link arm 117 is turned to the open rest position in accordance with the level H detection signal SG2 output to the input terminal P2 and the level L detection signal SG1 which is output to the input terminal P1. The unlocking process is thus continued.

Accordingly, in the second embodiment, once the power supply to the door lock system is interrupted and continues, it can be determined whether the door lock system 103 was in the closing process or the unlocking process. As a result, the door lock system 103 continues the process correctly.

According to the second exemplary embodiment, the pattern 138 is arranged on the circular surface 136 a of the R 06947 00070 552 001000280000000200012000285910683600040 0002019907151 00004 06828 reduction gear 136 and the first to third contacts 140 to 142 slide on the pattern 138 . When the motor M rotates to rotate the pattern 138 of the reduction gear 136 , a connection state between the first / second contacts 140 , 141 and the third contact 142 is changed, thereby outputting the detection signals SG1, SG2 to the control circuit 144 . The control circuit 144 detects the rotational position of the reduction gear 136 in accordance with the detection signals SG1, SG2. As a result, the door lock system 103 can be controlled correctly by using a single position detection sensor, thereby reducing the number of parts, the number of assemblies, and the size of the door lock system.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the first to third contacts 140 to 142 slide on the pattern 138 , whereby the rotational position of the reduction gear 136 is detected. As a result, even if the power supply to the door lock system 103 is interrupted and continued, it can be detected whether the door lock system 103 has performed the door lock operation or the unlock operation. Thus, the door lock system 103 continues to operate correctly.

Furthermore, the pattern 138 is attached in one piece to the reduction gear 136 without additional special fastening element for the pattern 138 on the reduction gear 136 . As a result, the number of parts and the number of assemblies for the door lock system 103 are reduced.

The detection sensor 131 , which includes the reduction gear 136 with the pattern 138 and the first to third contacts 140 to 142 , is arranged inside the housing 118 a of the actuator 118 . As a result, the detection sensor 131 is not located outside and is prevented from coming into contact with dust, dirt and water.

Furthermore, in the second exemplary embodiment, the distance (Y1) between the center of the shaft 107 and the first stop surface D1 of the latch 108 is chosen to be smaller than the distance (Y2) between the center of the shaft 107 and the second stop surface D2 of the latch 108 . Consequently, the movement distance of the second ratchet 120 within the guide groove 122 c of the operating lever 122 is reduced, whereby a range of movement of the connecting arm 117 is reduced. As a result, the size of the door lock system 103 is reduced.

Furthermore, in the second exemplary embodiment, the thickness (l) of the first ratchet is selected to be greater than the thickness (m) of the second ratchet 120 . The first ratchet 110 receives greater force from the latch 108 compared to the second ratchet 120 . As a result, the second ratchet can have a relatively high strength to withstand the force applied by the latch 108 without increasing the size of the door lock system 103 .

The structure of the detection sensor 131 is not limited to that described in the second embodiment. E.g. For example, the pattern 138 can be attached to the reduction gears 133-135 instead of the reduction gear 136 .

Furthermore, the detection sensor 131 can be formed from a rotary potentiometer in which the voltage of the detection signal changes in accordance with the rotational position of the reduction gear 136 .

Furthermore, the detection sensor 131 can be an optical sensor which optically detects the rotational position of the reduction gear 136 . In this case, the pattern 138 is made of a material that can be optically detected and the first to third contacts 140 to 142 are replaced by light receiving elements.

The detection sensor 131 can be arranged outside the housing 118 a of the actuator 118 . E.g. For example, the link arm 117 may be formed in a circular plate shape as a rotating body to which the pattern 138 is attached.

The door locking system 130 can be attached to each door of the vehicle 1 differently from the trunk lid 2 .

Although the present invention is fully related with the preferred embodiments thereof below With reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that various changes and Modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art. Such Changes and modifications are deemed by the through the appended claims defined area of the present Invention includes viewing.

A door locking system 3 , 103 for locking and unlocking a door 2 using a single actuator 118 has a motor M, a latch 8 , 108 for engaging a door catch 4 and a drive cam 12 , 114 for driving a latch 8 , 108 . An output shaft 16 , 119 of the motor M is arranged in parallel with a shaft 7 , 107 , which rotatably holds the trap 8 , 108 and the drive cams 12 , 114 , whereby an installation space for the trap 8 , 108 and the drive cams 12 , 114 is reduced . Further, the actuator 118 has a plurality of reduction gears 133 to 136 rotated by the motor M, and a pattern 138 is arranged on a surface 136 a of one of the reduction gears 136 . First to third contacts 140 to 142 are arranged to slide on the pattern 138 to thereby generate detection signals SG1, SG2 of a rotational position of the reduction gear 136 . An operating state of the door locking system 3 , 103 is detected in accordance with the detected rotational position of the reduction gear 136 . The door locking system 3 , 103 can thus be precisely controlled with a single detection sensor.

Claims (11)

1. Door locking unlocking system ( 3 , 103 ) for locking and unlocking a door ( 2 ) by engaging the door ( 2 ) with a catch ( 4 ), the door locking unlocking system ( 3 , 103 ) comprising:
an actuator (M) with a rotatable output shaft ( 16 , 119 );
a catch ( 8 , 108 ) which is rotatably arranged at a position for engagement with the catch ( 4 ) and is biased in a direction for release from the catch ( 4 ), the catch ( 8 , 108 ) a rotary shaft ( 7 , 107 ) which is arranged parallel to the output shaft ( 16 , 119 ) of the actuator (M);
a latch member ( 11 , 110 ) for engaging the latch ( 8 , 108 ) to prevent the latch ( 8 , 108 ) from moving from a fully closed position in which the door ( 2 ) is fully closed;
a pulling element ( 17 , 19 , 120 , 122 ) for engagement with the latch ( 8 , 108 ) for rotating the latch ( 8 , 108 ) from a closing start position, in which the latch ( 8 , 108 ) with the catch ( 4 ) in Intervention begins and the door ( 2 ) begins to close in the fully closed position;
a release element ( 11 b, 19 a, 110 c, 122 b) for releasing the latch ( 8 , 108 ) from the latching element ( 11 , 110 ); and
a cam ( 12 , 114 ) which is rotatably driven by the actuator (M) to drive the tension element ( 17 , 19 , 120 , 122 ) and the release element ( 11 b, 19 a, 110 c, 122 b), wherein the cam ( 12 , 114 ) has a rotary shaft ( 13 , 115 , 121 ) which is arranged parallel to the rotary shaft ( 7 , 107 ) of the latch ( 8 , 108 ). 2. Door locking unlocking system ( 3 , 103 ) according to claim 1, wherein the cam ( 12 , 114 ) is rotatably supported by the rotary shaft ( 7 , 107 ) of the latch ( 8 , 108 ). 3. The door lock release system ( 103 ) of claim 2, further comprising:
a rotating body ( 136 ) rotatably driven by the actuator (M);
to the cam (114) to rotate a fastener (116, 117) which is disposed between the cam (114) and the rotating body (136) corresponding to a rotation of the rotating body (136), thereby the tension member (120, 122) and to drive the release element ( 110 c, 122 b);
to detect a pattern (138) of the rotary body (136) is disposed on a surface (136 a) to a rotational position of the rotating body (136); and
a detection device ( 140 to 142 ) for detecting the pattern ( 138 ) and generating a detection signal (SG1, SG2) which indicates the rotational position of the rotating body ( 136 ). 4. The door lock release system ( 103 ) of claim 3, wherein:
the pattern ( 138 ) is formed of electrical conductors molded into a predetermined shape; and
(to 142 140), the detection means comprises a plurality of sliding elements (140 to 142), which slide on the pattern (138). 5. Door lock release system ( 103 ) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rotating body ( 136 ) is a reduction gear for reducing a rotational speed of the actuator (M). 6. The door lock release system ( 103 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising:
a housing ( 118 a) for receiving the actuator (M), wherein
the rotating body ( 136 ) within the housing ( 118 a) is integrally attached to the actuator (M); and
the detection device ( 140 to 142 ) is arranged inside the housing ( 118 a). 7. Door lock unlocking system ( 3 , 103 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pulling element ( 17 , 19 , 120 , 122 ) in the closing start position with the latch ( 8 , 108 ) is engaged. 8. The door lock release system ( 3 , 103 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the latching element ( 11 , 110 ) with the latch ( 8 , 108 ) engages due to a biasing force acting on the latching element ( 11 , 110 ) is applied in a direction towards the latch ( 8 , 108 ) when the latch ( 8 , 108 ) is arranged in the fully closed position. 9. The door locking and unlocking system ( 3 , 103 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the latch ( 8 , 108 ) returns to a starting position in which the catch ( 4 ) can be inserted into the latch ( 8 , 108 ), as a result of a biasing force which is applied to the latch ( 8 , 108 ) in a direction for releasing the latch ( 8 , 108 ) from the catch ( 4 ) when the release element ( 11 b, 19 a, 110 c, 122 b) releases the latch ( 8 , 108 ) from the latching element ( 11 , 110 ). 10. Door lock release system ( 103 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein
the latch ( 108 ) has a first surface (D1) with which the pulling element ( 120 , 122 ) engages and a second surface (D2) with which the latching element ( 110 ) engages; and
a distance (Y1) between the rotary shaft ( 107 ) of the trap ( 108 ) and the first surface (D1) is smaller than a distance (Y2) between the rotary shaft ( 107 ) of the trap ( 108 ) and the second surface (D2). 11. The door locking and unlocking system ( 103 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a thickness (l) of the latching element ( 110 ) is greater than that (m) of the tension element ( 120 ).